WTI

511 in YNP

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler and Weather Information System U.S. Highway 89 Project
   1. Jaydeep Chaudhari and David Kack
   2. 4W0173_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

To automate the data collection of traveler information for Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and to make this information available to visitors via the Montana 511 system so that they can access up-to-date travel information.

Project Abstract

In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 511 as a national number for traveler information. Montana’s system was deployed in January 2003 to provide travelers with updates on road conditions, weather forecasts, emergency travel restrictions and construction. System enhancements currently under way will include alert systems for fires, Amber alerts, homeland security information and tourism information. Although the most important goal of the 511 system is to provide accurate, real-time information, Yellowstone National Park does not have an automated data warehouse to store updated travel information that can be automatically accessed by the 511 system. This project will seek to identify and create this type of data warehouse and incorporate this information into Montana’s 511 system. The information in the data warehouse could also be used by Idaho and Wyoming in their traveler information phone systems (not yet 511).

Task Descriptions

1. Six Months Systems Operations
   1. The new database and phone system will operate for six months (April-September) with the costs covered under this project.
2. Data Warehouse Development
   1. Meridian Environmental Inc. (the vendor for Montana’s 511 system) will work with WTI and YNP to incorporate the National Park requirements for a database into this system for Yellowstone’s use.
3. Data Wharehouse Development
   1. Meridian Environmental Inc. (the vendor for Montana’s 511 system) will work with WTI and YNP to incorporate the National Park requirements for a database into this system for Yellowstone’s use.
4. Requirements Analysis
   1. National standards and current park IT operations will be identified and evaluated to determine configuration requirements for the current system to accommodate a data warehouse. This task will also include a cell phone coverage study in the park. A requirements document will be produced to serve as a specification for the development process for the data warehouse.
5. Integrate Information
   1. Meridian Environmental Inc. will work with YNP, MDT, and WTI to incorporate YNP’s information into the Montana 511 system.
6. Requirements Analysis
   1. National standards and current park IT operations will be identified and evaluated to determine configuration requirements for the current system to accommodate a data warehouse. This task will also include a cell phone coverage study in the park. A requirements document will be produced to serve as a specification for the development process for the data warehouse.
7. Meridian Environmental Inc.
   1. will work with YNP, MDT, and WTI to incorporate YNP’s information into the Montana 511 system.
8. Project Management
   1. Throughout the entire project, activities may include teleconferences, progress reports, travel, etc. to promote communication between project sponsors and the research team
9. Six Months System Operation
   1. The new database and phone system will operate for six months (April-September) with the costs covered under this project.
10. Evaluation
    1. The Montana 511 system and the new YNP traveler information phone system will be evaluated to include usage of the system and user perceptions of the system.
11. Concept of Operations
    1. Information will be collected from Montana 511 meetings with YNP and the data warehouse created for the California National Park project. This information will be used to start discussions with stakeholders to determine the overall concept for a data warehouse for the park.
12. Documentation for Phone System Changes
    1. WTI will document the changes made to the Montana phone system and include costs for use in evaluation and for transferability to other national parks.
13. Project Management
    1. Throughout the entire project, activities may include teleconferences, progress reports, travel, etc. to promote communication between project sponsors and the research team
14. System Testing
    1. WTI and YNP will test both the database and phone system for 60 days prior to the phone system being available to the public.
15. Evaluation
    1. The Montana 511 system and the new YNP traveler information phone system will be evaluated to include usage of the system and user perceptions of the system.
16. Documentation for Phone System Changes
    1. WTI will document the changes made to the Montana phone system and include costs for use in evaluation and for transferability to other national parks.
17. System Testing
    1. WTI and YNP will test both the database and phone system for 60 days prior to the phone system being available to the public.
18. Concept of Operations
    1. Information will be collected from Montana 511 meetings with YNP and the data warehouse created for the California National Park project. This information will be used to start discussions with stakeholders to determine the overall concept for a data warehouse for the park.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

511, Montana traveler information, Yellowstone National Park, intelligent transportation systems

Partners

Yellowstone National Park, Meridian Environmental Inc., Montana DOT